Car-vestibule diaphragm.



ARPLICATION FILED 'MAY10,'1913.

Patented Dec. 23, 1913.

2 SHEET S-SHEET 1.

' H; H. SOHROYER.

GAR VESTIBULE DIAPHRAGM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1913.

Patented Dec. 23, 1913.

EEEEEE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY I-I. SCHROYER,-OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR r0 THE AC1VIE SUPPLY COMPANY, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

CAR-VESTIBULE DIAPHRAGM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 10, 1913.. Serial No. 766,713.

To all whom 2'1- may concern Be it known that I, HARRY H. SCHROYER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident. of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cool; and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Car-Vestibule Diaphragms, of which the following is a specification.

As heretofore constructed V-shaped or angled vestibule diaphragms have afforded lodgment for sparks and cinders, thereby causing great wear and damage to the diaphragm and decreasing the life thereof. Other diaphragms have been constructed entirely of U-form, but the U-form has been found to afford insufficient support in the legs of the diaphragm for the arched top, thereby allowing sagging of the same, and eventually serious damage thereto.

This invention relates to that class of diaphragms adapted for engagement between the diaphragm face plate and the yestibule face plate of a railway car to afford a flexible connection therebetween. The legs are constructed of accordion folds of angled or V-shaped section, and the top is of U-form section. A

It is an object of this invention to afford a diaphragm so constructed as to be entirelyv self-cleaning from dirt and sparks, and to aiford a top section into which water or moisture cannot find access, thereby preventing rotting of the fabric.

It is also an object of this invention to afford a construct-ion wherein any desired number of strips of fabric are clenched to- -gether to afford the angled legs of a,vestibule diaphragm, and one wherein the top sections are clenched only at their outer edges, thereby affording a combined U-form and angled vestibule dlaphragmf It is also an object of this invention to provide suitable reinforcing meansfor the -top sections adapted to extend down into the legs of the diaphragm.

It is furthermore an object of this invention to construct angled vestibule diaphragm legs which merge into a diaphragm top of U.-form.

It is finally an object of this invention to provide a combined U-form and V-shaped or other angled vestibule diaphragm with an integral reinforcing element extending into each of said portions.

The invention embraces many novel features and in a preferred form is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front view of a vestibule diaphragm with one section removed and the binding elements shown in section. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail illustrating the connection between the top and leg sections of the diaphragm. Fig. 4 a section taken on line 41 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4, to illustrate the staple clenching means. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation thereof.

As shown in the drawings: The reference numeral 1, designates the leg sections of the diaphragm, which are shown as a single continuous strip of fabric with stitching 2, extending for almost the entire length thereof angled relation. However, it is not essential that-the legs be constructed of a single con tinuous strip of fabric, as obviously a plus rality of such strips may be used and connected together to effect the same purpose.

The top portion of the diaphragm is composed of a plurality of short sector shaped sections numbered 3, 4, and 5, respectively, and the relative long sections 6, said sections stitched together and arranged in overlapping relation to readily shed water, dirt, or other particles falling thereupon. The outer edges of said top and leg sections are secured together by means of the channel shaped elements 7, which engage therearound, and may be either constructed of metal or may comprise a strip of fabric, as desired.

Inclosed thereby, and within the inner surfaces of the margins of the diaphragm fabric sections, are the continuous integral reinforcing elements 8, which extend entirely across the top portion of the diaphragm sections and down into legs tl1creof,and are suitably apertured to receive the staples 9, therethrough, which are clenched on the outer surface of said elements 6', to bind the whole securely together.

As illustratedin the drawings I have shown the reinforcing element 8, as extending entirely for the. whole length of the leg sections of thediaphragm, but this is not upper section essential, and may be influenced to a great extent by the number offolds used in the diaphragm. t

Referring to Figs. 1, 3, and 4, it will be noted that the reinforcing elements 8, is of greater depth at the top of the diaphragm,

especially at the sharper curves, while the portions extendinginto the leg taper toward their ends. I have shown and described this reinforcing element as an integral piece of metal, although it is obvious that this is not necessarily so, but it simplifies the construction.- The purpose of constructing the of the vestibule diaphragm of U-form is to insure the shedding of 'sparks,'water or other such matter therefrom, while on the other hand the leg portions of said sections are clenched at the inner sides thereof toreinforce and stiffen ithesame. This is feasible in the leg portions of the diaphragm for the reason that or a similarly disposed vestibulediaphragm.

However, this latter construction forms no part o f, my present invention and I have merely shown. the same-as such for convenience of illustration.

I am aware that details of construction maybe varied through a Wide range without departing from the principles of this inyention. I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than nec essitated by the prior art. I I claim as my invention.

l. A'vestibule car diaphragm comprising leg sections and top sections in register with one another, said top sections of U-form, and said leg sections of angled form.

2. In a device of the class described a unitary reinforcing element for the top sec- 'of U-form, form, and reinforclng elements inserted betions. of an arched vestibule diaphragm extending downwardly into the-legs thereof on each side, said elements enlarged at the arched portion.

"3. In a device of the class described a vestibule diaphragm comprising top and leg sections secured together, said top sections and said leg sections of angled tween and extending around adjacent diaphragm sections.

4. In a device of the class described aplu rality of diaphragm sections, a reinforcing element inserted therebetween of varying width, and means secured on the outer edges of said adjacent sections to bind the same together and to said reinforcing element within the same.

5. In a device of the class-described a diaphragm leg section stitching centrally thereof for a portion of the length, said arrangement affording a continuous trough of both U-form and angled sections.

6. In a device of the class described a vestibule diaphragm top' section composed ofa plurality of sector shaped elements, leg sections secured thereto and conforming to the shape thereof, and means extending for a portion of the length of said leg sections to reinforce and change the shape thereof.

7. Ina car vestibule diaphragm top sections of U-form and leg sections connected thereto and stitched so as to be both of a U-form and an angled section.

8. In a device of the class described the combination with the reinforcing element of 1 top sections of U-form, and legsections connected thereto, said leg sections stitchedfor a portion of their length affording sect-ions of. U-form and angled or V-shaped.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

'HARRY H; SGHROYER. Witnesses CHARLES W. HILLS, Jr., LEON M. REIHSTEIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of mitigate;

' Washington, D. G. t 

